Pathogens
Bordetella pertussis

Bordetella pertussis

Precautions

Until after 5 days of effective therapy

Susceptibilities

General Information

Gram negative coccobacilli.

Increasing incidence in pre-teen and teenage years.

  • Most common etiology of whooping cough and exclusively a human pathogen
  • Laryngobronchitis
  • Pneumonia (less common)

Whooping cough or Pertussis infection lasts several weeks and consists of 3 stages:

  • Catarrhal stage: rhinorrhea, mild fever, coryza and mild cough (1-2 weeks). Infants may have apnea respiratory distress. 
  • Paroxysmal stage: increased cough with spells of repetitive usually dry cough, followed by sudden inspiratory effort (whoop) and post-tussive emesis (2-6 wks)
  • Convalescent stage: decreasing frequency and severity of coughing episodes (>2weeks)